IMPORTANT CHANGES TO BLOOD TESTS
All GP practice are affected by the current national shortage of blood tubes and are taking urgent steps alongside our hospitals to prioritise their use for people with the greatest clinical need. This includes testing for serious conditions such as cancer.
We are following national guidance which has been issued in response to the shortage. As a result, we need to can and delay a number of patient appointments for blood tests deemed routine or non-urgent. If you have a routine blood test appointment the reception team at the surgery will be in touch directly if they need to cancel your appointment, this will be by phone or text message if you are unable to be contacted.
Please be assured that appointments will be rescheduled once the situation has improved, and in line with national guidance. There are a few things you can do if you are affected by this change :
- keep checking our website for regular updates - we will be sharing the latest patient information here as soon as we receive it
- check your phone for messages from us - we will also be using our patient text service if you are unavailable to keep people informed
- please do not call or contact us with questions about routine blood tests - we are experiencing exceptional levels of demand at the moment and your cooperation will help us to reach those without smartphone or internet access with this critical information
- do get in touch online if your condition worsens or changes so that we can prioritise your blood test if necessary following clinical review.
The change are likely to be in place for at least 4 weeks.
We will keep all our patients regularly updated as the national situation changes. We fully understand the frustration this is likely to cause, and apologise for the inconvenience.
Drs Atherton, Rossiter and Ludwig
EXTREMELY SHORT STAFFED DUE TO COVID - PRESCRIPTIONS 5 WORKING DAYS
We have seen a sharp rise in COVID cases within patients registered at the practice in the past week and unfortunately this includes a number of our staff and family members.
As a result we have a number of staff isolating, so we are making changes to our way of working in the short term which may result in non-urgent appointments being postponed and high-risk procedures being cancelled for the moment.
PLEASE ONLY CONTACT THE SURGERY IF THE MATTER IS URGENT AND CANNOT WAIT
PLEASE ALLOW 5 WORKING DAYS FOR YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS
We want to ensure that we can deal with urgent health care needs for our practice population so would ask that you contact us only with urgent matters.
We will update you again when the situation starts to settle.
You can refer to https://www.nhs.uk/ for advice on managing routine health care matters.
Thank you the Partners
ON THE DAY TELEPHONE APPOINTMENTS
If you request a telephone appointment and a call back for the same day, please ensure you are contactable all day. GPs will normally make routine phone calls in the afternoon and into the early evening. If the matter is urgent then you must tell the Receptionist.
Our GPs under the current pandemic are dealing with 60 to 70 telephone calls a day and have to prioritise urgent telephone call over routine telephone calls. Please remember minor ailments can always be treated by a Pharmacist/Chemist, eg. colds, coughs, hay fever, acne, athletes foot, insect bites, rashes, thrush, you do not need to speak to your GP about these.
E-consult request
Please be aware if you enquiry is urgent - do not use Econsult as these have 48hr+ turnaround.
COVID-19 Vaccination – How to get a 2nd dose
If it has been 8 weeks or more since your first COVID-19 vaccination, then you can book your second vaccine.
It is important to have both doses to get the best possible protection against COVID-19. It will also reduce the risk of you passing COVID-19 to anyone else.
By having both doses of the vaccine we can make sure that we provide the body with the best protection against the virus
To make an appointment for your second dose please call 119 or visit:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/
You can also find out about which walk-in vaccination clinics offer 2nd doses here
HOW TO GET MOST APPROPRIATE TREATMENT
All our health services are busy right now, especially our ambulance service and the emergency department team at Truro hospital.
You can play your part in supporting us to care for people with serious and life-threatening illnesses.
Did you know you know you can get help and advice by calling 111 or go online at 111.nhs.uk? You may not need to go and wait in our busy emergency department and could be directed to a minor injury unit which will be quicker and closer to home.
Only dial 999 for an ambulance in a genuine, life-threatening emergency, for example:
- Chest pain / breathing difficulties / heart attack
- Stroke
- Severe bleeding
- Severe allergic reactions
- Severe burns or scalds
- Serious head injuries
- Major trauma such as a road traffic accident or a fall from height
If you have called for an ambulance, please do not ring again asking for a time of arrival. Only call again if:
The patient’s condition worsens
- You no longer need our help
The call handlers must prioritise speaking to the most seriously injured and unwell patients.
If you don’t think it’s a serious or life-threatening emergency:
Call your own GP. Even if you are in Cornwall on holiday, you could get a phone or video consultation with your doctor at home.
- Go online at 111.nhs.uk or call 111 to get expert advice and be signposted to where you can get the best and nearest care for your needs.
- Ask a pharmacist for advice – they’re experts in treating minor health issues like colds, urinary infections, stomach upsets, aches and pains.
For further information please visit NHS Kernow CCG at https://www.kernowccg.nhs.uk/get-info/choose-well/
STAY SAFE IN THE HEAT
In view of the recent hot spell, it is worth refreshing on ways you can stay safe in the sun: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/
FRIENDS OF THE HEALTH CENTRE - Treasurer wanted
The Friends of St Keverne Health Centre are a Committee of people from the community who look after the finance side of fund raising/donations made on behalf of the Health Centre.
Due to the resignation of the current Treasurer, the Friends are currently looking for a new Treasurer to join this group to help guide and advise on financial concerns.
The successful person will need to be able to attend fund raising events as well as presenting at meetings, normally 1 to 3 meetings a year. This is a voluntary role. The two main tasks are ensuring proper financial records and procedures are maintained, receiving and reporting to the Committee on accounts and financial statements. You will be required to present accounts at the AGM which have been prepared and audited appropriately. Liaising with the Committee/Practice Manager of the Health Centre as to the requirements or needs of equipment for patient care continuity.
For further information please do not hesitate to contact : Gill – Chairman 01326 280543
18 - 25 year olds - Don’t miss your invitation for a Covid-vaccination
Important Notice: If you are 18 or older and have not updated your mobile number with your GP practice you might not receive your message to book your COVID jab. We have found several records of those aged 18-25 contain a number belonging to their parent or guardian. Please contact us on telephone or email to update your mobile number.
You can also book your jab on the National Booking System via this link: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/ or calling 119